Denominationally speaking, I had an inheritance in
the Free Will Baptist faith, going back several generations. Since I was reared in that faith, it was only natural
that I should connect myself with that church - and this
I did at the age of twenty-four. In 1925, immediately
after I joined the church, I entered the Free Will Baptist
Seminary at Ayden, North Carolina to study for the
ministry.

Soon after I entered the seminary, God began
revealing Himself to me in so great a manner that I
became greatly convicted for something that I knew I
did not possess. Of course, I knew there had been a
great change in my life, for the things of the world that
I once loved now I hated, and the things of God, in
which I had previously held no interest, were now my
only attraction; yet, this conviction for that something
which I did not possess grew so intense that I felt led to
stay alone and pray a large part of my time, since this
seemed to bring the greatest relief I could find.

Christmas came and passed, and the weeks rolled on.
My first year at the seminary was drawing to a close. By
all means, I wanted to make my grade; yet, I just had to
have satisfaction in my soul - school or no school, for
my aching for that much-needed blessing, which I was
endeavoring to receive, had become almost unbearable.
I just had to make a move. I shall never forget that
afternoon when I went down to that little railroad
station, praying every step of the way that God might
direct me to that which I was seeking, even if it took my
leaving the seminary. While sitting in that lonely little
station, pouring out my heart to God and asking Him
to let me know whether I
should go or stay, I heard the train
coming, and hardly before I realized what
I was doing, I was asked by the ticket
agent why I had not purchased my ticket
earlier. "You have been sitting here long
enough," he exclaimed, as he passed me the ticket. I just shook my
head. I had no answer. As I took a seat on the train
that late afternoon, I think I battled every spirit Satan
had available by the time I traveled the eighteen miles
I had to go. I shall never forget one thought that Satan
presented. "You left your bookkeeping profession
within two years, after graduating from King's Business
College (1922), and now you are leaving the seminary.
What are you going to tell your people when you get
home?" I must admit, this almost threw me. And surely
it would have, had God not been leading.

When I arrived home, all seemed pleased to see me.
I didn't give them time to ask any questions, for I
started preaching. Praise God, I can feel now the words
I uttered. I looked at my mother, stepfather, and wife,
and said, "I have quit the seminary, and I'm going to
preach just as I am." To my surprise, they gave me a
hearty sanction, and so I started, preaching in every
home or church that would open its doors for me.

A few months after leaving the seminary, I became
extremely burdened to know God's will concerning
myself, for I was trying to preach under a conviction that
was about to overcome me. I began to pray more than
ever, asking in sincerity for knowledge and guidance.
And, in a short time, I was impressed to visit a cottage
prayer meeting, to which I had previously been invited
by a sister, who, I learned later, was baptized with the
holy Ghost. It was in this humble cottage prayer
meeting that I actually met, for the first time, a few
persons upon whom God had poured out His Spirit. I
must admit that I was startled; yet, I felt something
within bearing witness, especially when I saw tears freely
flowing down the cheeks of those poor, unlearned, but
faithful children of God, who, I knew, were praying for
me, and who seemed to have an assurance of faith
unequalled by any whom I had ever met. Seemingly, I
can hear and see them now, after all these years,
pouring out their hearts to God there in that Sunday
afternoon prayer meeting. Time can never erase from
my memory what I saw and heard in that little service.

I left this meeting with a determination to learn more
about the things of which these people had testified, for
they had really put me studying God's Word. Never
before had I been near anyone upon whom the power
of God was being manifested. I found something in this
meeting that began to open my eyes to the Scriptures,
the same Scriptures which I had so frequently read, and
yet had not been able to understand. This was early in
1926. And I realized at once that I had found the right
place, for, as I put foot into that cottage prayer meeting,
I found a profound change of atmosphere - a heavenly
atmosphere! I felt as if every living thing in that little
room had welcomed me. As I sat down, they began to
sing under the power of God, and each song seemed to
bring more of God's presence and glory into that little
unpainted room. As the thirsty, parched earth drinks
the first rain of the season, so my soul drank deeply
every word and melody of each song.

I must say here, no one had to persuade me that I
needed the Spirit of God in my life, and I said in my
heart, "O Lord, I know I shall have to have what these
people have and are singing and testifying to." It
seemed as if heaven had been opened to them and they
had caught a glimpse of "the King in His beauty." Their
testimonies were even more compelling than their songs.
Their prayers seemed to be coming from those who see
only God and His power to answer. I didn't know how
to pray as they did, but I knelt there on that humble,
uncarpeted floor and was submissive to him who died
for me.

When I left to go home, the day was drawing to a
peaceful close. The sun was slowly sinking behind the
low, wintry clouds, which seemed to be taking shelter
from the ensuing night. The sky never appeared more
beautiful in a late winter afternoon. It looked as though
it had been retouched by the Master's hand. The cold,
leafless trees seemed to sway their empty, quivering
limbs for joy, while the wind soughed through them,
whistling tunes to the accompaniment of the songs to
which I had listened that afternoon. And every house
along the way that evening looked as if it had been
worked over, and my heart was singing, "I have found
the way." What mattered to me now? For I had
learned that which I had so long desired to know - how
to receive the baptism of the holy Ghost. Yes, I forgot
all about my being a preacher for the time; and, like
Jacob of old, I began to wrestle for the blessing of God.
The "Seed" had surely sprouted, and I could hardly
contain myself, I was so happy.

Before long, I was invited again, this time by the
pastor of the little flock, who had come to fill his
monthly appointment. I spent several hours with him
during this weekend service, asking him many questions
concerning the things upon which I had been meditating
since my first visit among his little group in that cottage
meeting. He seemed to take more interest in explaining
the baptism of the holy Ghost, which he claimed to have
received just as the disciples did on the day of Pentecost. The positiveness
with which he spoke and the light
of God, which shone upon his face, could not be easily
thrown off, especially by one under so great a conviction
as I. Carrying the conviction that I was, one cannot go
far without learning the meaning of that profound
injunction, "Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst
after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Every day,
I knew, I was being drawn more closely to that which I
had long sought; yet, I had sought without understand
ing. Now, the understanding had come, and my eyes
were opened. What should I do?

At last, another month went by, and the little pastor
came again to his appointment. This time I was there
early, for I was eager to hear again from both him and
his followers concerning their baptism of the holy Ghost
- an experience that I knew now was for me. This time
Zion really went into travail. The power of God was
truly present; yet, I went home empty, but determined
to have this Pentecostal baptism before I ever visited
another meeting. You see, I had never seen anyone
receive this baptism. I had heard only their testimonies.
However, thank God, I had believed with all my heart.
This was on Sunday night; so, as I said, I went home,
went to bed, and began to pray. About midnight, the
holy Ghost came upon me, and I was under this
miraculous power, which I had heard about, but which
I had never witnessed before. It was glorious to me; yet
I was conscious all the time, praising and thanking God
for His wonderful love and mercy, which I was feeling
more forceful than ever.

While I was under this celestial power, a great
pressure seemed to come upon me, not of pain, but of
joy. This pressure increased and became so intense that
I began to feel very light in body. The glory of God was
surely upon me. The presence of God was surging
through every fiber of my body. Then breathed God
His Spirit of parental yearning over me; and, to my
surprise, words after words, in a language that I did not
understand, came streaming through my lips bringing
great comfort to my hungry soul.

Yes, reader, under this anointing, I lost my words of
praise and prayer, and the Spirit of God took over and
began to speak, "not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the holy Ghost teacheth." It is true,
"my understanding was unfruitful"; nevertheless, it
brought the relief for which I had long sought. Yes, I
was, for the first time, satisfied and filled with that
which I had so long been in need of. No human words
can ever tell the joy that came into my heart when the
Spirit came in and gave me the witness of its presence
and of Jesus' wonderful promise: "When the Comforter
is come . . . he shall testify of me."

This marvelous baptismal experience, which left a
great flood of joy down deep in my soul, seemed to last
only a few minutes, but according to the testimonies of
the occupants of the adjoining rooms, whom I had
greatly excited (they were Baptists, too), it probably was
about an hour. Oh! it all seems inspiring when I look
back to that time.

How long I continued praising the Lord on that
momentous night I do not know. But when I did finally
fall asleep, that was the sweetest sleep I had ever
experienced. On awaking the next morning, I felt the
greatest joy and peace that I had ever known, bubbling
up in my soul - a peace that tongue cannot utter. There
was with me, also, a faith that made God's Spirit real to
me. Oh, how I praise His dear name now, as I think of
His wondrous love manifested to me on that occasion.

Some people may try to explain away this miraculous
experience; yet, it has made a lasting impression on me.
I have been deeply impressed with the fact that a great
many people who claim to be following Christ are
endeavoring to fathom spiritual things with the carnal
mind.

Dear friend, if you haven't been filled with God's holy
Spirit, you can receive it now. "For every one that
asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to
him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Lk.11:10). And
as Peter said, "The promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as
the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39). Again Peter
says, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons, but in every nation he that feareth Him and
worketh righteousness is accepted with Him" (Acts 10).